My Mute Bride

Not long after Victor left, Rachel heard the doorbell ring.

Originally thinking he left something behind, she opened the door, only to see a courier.

“Ms. Rachel Hudson?”

Upon hearing that, Rachel nodded.

“There are two intracity express parcels for you. Please sign here.”

Startled, she signed for the parcels, thereafter receiving a cake and a paper bag.

Right now on the table, there was still half an uneaten cake that Victor had rushed out to buy at noon upon finding out it was her birthday.

So, who bought the cake that the courier delivered?

Setting it aside on the table for now, she pulled a rectangular suede box out of the paper bag.

With a click, she opened it and discovered a silver-colored necklace in the box that glimmered underneath the light

The pendant was in the simple design of a small sun with a hollow center.

Putting down the box, she found a card on top of the cake box that simply read ‘Happy Birthday’ without any signature.

Dumbfounded, she stared at the items until her phone started vibrating.

It was a text message from Julian reading, ‘Did you receive what I sent?’

Immediately, she understood. ‘I did. I was wondering who would remember my birthday.’

‘Don’t forget that you’re a patient of mine. It’s not strange that I would remember your birthday.’

‘Thank you.

‘You’re welcome. Are you free? I just finished work; come down for a walk with me!

Looking at the time, she agreed, ‘Okay.’

At this hour after dinner, the community was lively. All of the houses were lit up, and the sound of children laughing could be heard around the neighborhood as they ran around playing.

Rachel set the cake box down on a stone table and opened it. Before she could even offer some to anyone, a group of children was surrounding her and staring eagerly at the cake

is

she lifted a knife and

box to the side. “Today is Miss Rachel’s birthday. Before she treats you all to some

a little girl in pigtails, immediately said, “Wish Miss Rachel a Happy

the ‘Happy

must close her eyes

blow out

Rachel shook her head to indicate to Julian that

sing ‘Happy Birthday’ in unison. The delicate chorus of young voices would have a healing effect on any

“Make a wish.”

There’s no need.

birthday, Miss Rachel. My mommy says you have to say it in your heart and not out loud,

lowered her head to look, she found a little girl who wasn’t even

of the children, clasped her hands and made a wish. After that, she blew out the candles and began to give

to say thank you!” their parents instructed, standing

icing on each other’s faces. Just like that, the strangers in the

finally smiled for the first time

her back to her apartment building, Julian continued, “The most important thing right now is to take care of your body and your mood. You don’t need to worry

it, anyway, so I might as well pretend it never existed

regretting bringing up the child, he changed the topic and told her, “Go on upstairs, then. It’s been getting colder lately, so make sure to keep warm since you have a

turned and

she was inside her apartment and about to

door was propped open

Rachel saw Justin glowering at her, his darkened face made all the more grotesque by the centipede-like

on

the house and shut the door before surveying

“I see you’ve been

took two steps back.

he pulled off

you wouldn’t want me to ruin your blissful

he approached her,

Rachel had no idea what she did

she staggered after